Rescue operation in the Mediterranean: "One of the worst days since the beginning of the mission" Aquarius

January 29, 2018

Credits: Laurin Schmid/SOS MEDITERRANEE

While a song about the birth of a Nigerian migrant's baby triumphed at "Destination Eurovision", a "tragic day" was taking place in the Mediterranean. Two women died in a rubber dinghy on Saturday, January 27, off Libya, according to SOS Mediterranean and Doctors Without Borders, who conducted a rescue operation aboard Aquarius. The humanitarian ship that saw the birth of the baby in the song was "confronted with one of its worst days since the beginning of its mission in February 2016", laments SOS Mediterranean. The association has reported that "83 people [had been] saved" during the sinking of the boat; still many occupants remain missing and have presumably drowned. "Two women could not be reanimated leaving two children orphaned."

BREAKING: 83 survivors from sinking rubber boat have been rescued by #Aquarius after a nightmarish day on #Mediterranean. Many people missing presumed drowned – including children. pic.twitter.com/gYrndEoYYO

— MSF Sea (@MSF_Sea) 27 gennaio 2018